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Why hannibal is a great leader essay
hannibal rome battle
first punic war hannibal
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Hannibal a fierce determine warrior, general and leader who demonstrated bold, aggressive military leader during the Second Punic War 218 BCE through 201 BCE against the most power rising adversary the Roman Empire. Hannibal was born in Carthage to a family of great wealth. He was reared by a military father, whose ambition was to defeat and conquer the Roman Empire. Although, his father plans never became a reality of defeating the enemy, His investment was in his son Hannibal to bring the powerful Roman Empire to a devastating end. During the First Punic War Rome, Rome successfully defeated the Carthage. The conflict was chiefly due to who would control the important trade waterways of the Mediterranean Sea.
As a result, Hannibal?s
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He demonstrated great military leadership in the worst of conditions at the worst of time and continues on his quest for victory. A great leader, Hannibal never allowed his frustrations to poison his men or his mission. He exhibited military mastery in the many fighting conflicts against Rome. Unmistakably, Hannibal bold move showed the world that the Roman Army was flawed and could be defeated. Nevertheless, Hannibal?s one and only defeat at Cannae does not detract from his greatness or his formidable strength. He was the greatest General with a distinguished military record of fighting against a powerful opponent. All great leaders have their moments of glory in time and soon fade away. Hannibal celebrated many shining moments as well moments of doubt and frustrations. As all great leaders do he continued to be an example for his men. To demonstrate anything less than strength would have been a disaster. Today, Hannibal?s military genius and tactics are utilized as a frame of reference for the armed forces. The penned accomplishments of Hannibal?s military genius, leaderships, strategist, and his ability to be an organizer have cemented his station in history as the greatest military leader of the ancient world (Luttwak,
Hannibal was a Punic Carthaginian military commander, reputed to be one of the greatest in history and even a better tactician. Hannibal lived in a time of great friction in the Mediterranean where the Roman Republic dominated Macedon, Syracuse and the Seleucid Empire. He was a notable member of the Barca family, a noble family well known for being staunch antagonists of the Roman Republic. His father Hamilcar was a leading commander in the First Punic War, his brother-in-laws were Hasdrubal the Fair who preferred diplomacy to war and the Numidian king Naravas, and both his brothers, Mago (commanded Hannibal’s forces and made decisive pushes) and Hasdrubal (defended Carthaginian cities in Hispania as Hannibal left for Italy in 218 BC) assisted immensely in the campaign against the Romans . Unlike many other African warlords, not only did Hannibal and his forces protect their home territory but he was also the only African commander to invade Europe in turn. In other words, he did not only defend his town or lie in wait for further oppression but rather counter-attacked and took the fight to the oppressors.
... believe that he was an ethical leader. I have also discussed the personal relevance of Hannibal’s leadership to my leadership; and I have discussed how his actions have impacted me.
The battle of Cannae, between the Carthaginian general Hannibal and the larger Roman army under the command of consuls Lucius Aemilius Paulus and Gaius Terentius Varro, in 216 B.C., still serves as one of the most influential tactical battles in history. Two enemy forces were to face off using very different tactics. The Roman Empire had succeeded in amassing a staggering 50,000 or greater number of infantry troops and a disputed 6,000 cavalry troops. The Roman army was to use its vast numbers to subdue the smaller numbered forces of the Carthaginian army using sheer force. Hannibal’s army, though lesser in quality and quantity as compared to the Roman army was a mix of seasoned fighters. Hannibal used the fighting techniques to the Roman army against themselves. Hannibal was able to defeat the much superior army using the ability to maneuver and knowledge of the opposing force. The tactics Hannibal employed at Cannae were the down of the modern strategic army.
Mr. Cottrell describes Hannibal as an ambitious warrior from boyhood. He learned soldierly virtues and hatred for the Romans from his father at an early age. Hannibal was the son of Hamlicar, a distinguished leader and veteran of the first Punic War against Rome. Hannibal's motives derived from loyalty to his father, his lineage, and hate for the Roman Republic. Following the first Punic War, Sicily had been taken by Rome, Corsica and Sardina were lost, but Spain remained as a powerful Carthaginian settlement. By the efforts of his father, Hannibal was taken to an altar in Spain to witness the offerings; and laying his hands upon such, sweared an oath to prove himself to forever be an enemy of the Roman Empire.
As what happens so often, history is written by the side who wins and in the case of the Punic Wars and Carthage itself most of the information available today comes from Roman sources and authors whose knowledge has been passed down through the ages. According to legend Carthage was initially settled as a Phoenician trading colony (the word “Punic” is Latin for Phoenician) in 813 B.C by the Phoenician Queen Elissa (Mark). From Carthage’s prime location as a trade port its power and prestige grew rather quickly and its expansion brought the city into conflict with another growing ambitious city state called Rome.
If the second Punic war is to be discussed, I think it is very important to discuss the first Punic war and its motivations and outcomes, because there is a significant link between the two. Of course, as we know a second of anything is made possible by the first, and in the case of the Punic wars, the first war not only made way for the second, it also gave birth and motivation to one of the greatest and most influential participants of the second Punic war, Hannibal. As we explore the dusk of the first Punic war to the dawn of the second, we can see how Hannibal as a military commander was destined to wreak havoc on the Roman military.
Gaius Julius Caesar, born 100 B.C.E. in Rome to the impoverished patrician Julian Clan, knew controversy at an early age. Nephew to Populare Gaius Marius, he was earmarked by the Optimate dictator Sulla for prosciption after his refusal to divorce his Populare wife, Cinna. Fleeing Rome, and not returning until after Sulla’s resignation in 78 B.C.E, upon his return he gained a position as a pontificate, an important Roman priesthood. Slowly but surely throughout his lifetime he worked his way up the political ladder, eventually becoming Consul, and finally Dictator Perpeteus – Dictator for life. One of the most influential political and military leaders of all time, Caesar was also a highly intelligent man and an exceptional orator. However, acquiring this absolute power was no mean feat, and Caesar had well equipped himself through previous expeditions with all the resources necessary to gain power in Ancient Rome.
Although the Carthaginians ultimately had succumb to the Romans, their general, Hannibal Barca was one of the fiercest and intelligent leaders the world has ever seen. Throughout the invasions from Hannibal’s army on the Romans we learn of the meticulous military qualities that Hannibal presented. He was a tactical and highly skilled military commander with a vast knowledge of war. Hannibal portrayed high integrity in solving conflicts that arose amongst his troops and kept them united through the journey across the Alps (Gabriel). He passionately gave his army hopes and determination while achieving their mission despite the challenges they faced before reaching their target. These qualities made him one of the greater generals of the Punic wars, despite Scipio emerging a victor (Render).
Hannibal Barca (meaning Hanba'al, "mercy of Baal") was a Carthaginian general. He was the eldest son of Hamilcar. Hamilcar's defeat in the First Punic War (264-241 B.C) must have made a great impression on the young Hannibal as he always looked up to his father. This led him to become a great strategist and a great general. He, who was the son of the General Hamilcar Barca, was born into this middle-classed Carthaginian family. Hannibal Barca died around 182 B.C by drinking poison to avoid capture by the Romans. Despite sad end, Hannibal was a person who was both confident and persistent.
Hannibal's first battle took place when he was only nine. He went on an expedition with his father, Hamilcar Barca, to conquer Spain. From the beginning Carthage’s push into Spain, Hannibal vowed eternal hatred for Rome; Hannibal became Commander in Chief of Carthage’s army when he was 26 after his father was assassinated. His conquest of the Roman town of Sagunto in Spain led to a new declaration of war by Rome; which started the second Punic War and Hannibal’s promise to visit Roman injustice back on Rome a hundred fold. For Carthage to take the town of Sagunto was completely within the rights of the Carthage and the treaty but Rome at the time was getting too big and becoming very imperialistic. All Rome could see was that they had to have all of the Mediterranean and the only thing that stood in their way was a single General and his men. The way in which the Romans were unconsciously straying from "mos maiorum" to manipulate the course of events was disturbing. Though these actions were not entirely the "evil" work of Rome. Hannibal from his earliest memories could recall nothing but hatred for Rome. Hannibal’s Father had instilled a horrifically self-destructive desire within Hannibal to see the fall of Rome.
The first Punic War started with a request by the locals in Messana for the Romans to aid them in defeating the Carthaginians. Messana was at the southern tip of Italy and would be a great asset to the already superior naval fleet of Carthage. Rome saw this to be a good opportunity to halt the expansion of the Carthaginian Empire and to stop the possible attack on Italy (which was controlled by Rome). Despite this fact the Roman council debated on whether to attack on these premises or not, but eventually it was decided that they would wage war on the Carthaginians. The Carthaginians were then told that they must halt their invasion or war would be waged. They did not stop and Rome declared war.
According to Polybius Hannibal Inherited the Second Punic War from his father in much the same was as Alexander the Great inherited his expedition from his father Philip II. What this means is that the events that led to the war were actually the result of the dealings with Hannibal’s father, Hamilcar Barca, and the Romans. Polybius gives us three events that led to the Second Punic War, and none of these events actually involved Hannibal himself. Polybius tells us that the real reason that there was a renewal of activates between Carthage and Rome boiled down to these three factors. The first was the bitterness and anger of Hamilcar Barca at the end of the First Punic War when he was forced to surrender despite being undefeated in Sicily. The second factor, which Polybius tells us is the most important is the Roman seizure of Sardinia, while Carthage was still reeling form the result of the Mercenary Rebellion. The final reason that Polybius gives us is the fact that Carthaginian enterprise in to Spain was so successful.
even today for his campaign, the hatred Hannibal felt for Rome was clearly seen on the
The Punic Wars are great examples of two empires clashing to expand their territory. The Punic Wars were fought between the Romans and Carthaginians. Each empire had great leaders, but the most famous leader of the wars was Hannibal Barca. Hannibal was most commonly associated with his famous crossing of the Alps in the Second Punic War. Although this act of warfare hurt the Carthaginian Empire more that it helped, it still was quite marvelous.
According to Polybius, after the First Punic War, Hamilcar “took him by the hand, led him up to the altar... and [made him] swear never to be the friend of the Romans” (Poly. 3.11.6-7)1. The Romans believed that the Second Punic War was inspired by this moment. When the war began, Hannibal's victories were won with surprising ease. However, despite the fame he gathered during the war, Hannibal's war ended unsuccessfully. There may be many factors that prove why Carthage lost the Second Punic War, but by assessing other generals in Hannibal's command, the Carthaginian politics, and the Roman alliance system, Hannibal's defeat becomes understandable.